New to forum, have some questions!
12-17-2009, 02:11 PM
#1
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New to forum, have some questions!
Hi, my name is Damon and I bought a 1991 928 S4 about 1 month ago. The car is Polar Silver and has only 43,000 miles on it! It is really clean, almost mint in many ways.
I don't have the shop manuals yet. Some work that has been done to the car (I have records going back 6 years) include new timing belt, water pump, and torque tube along with frequent oil changes and inspections.
I've read thru some of the forum and FAQ but not all. I wanted to get some quick feedback on a few questions if possible!
1. My car drips a tiny few drip drops of oil over night. I cannot see where it's coming from but from the top view of the engine everything looks clean. There is a black ?air flow tube? that sits on the suspension just behind the driver side front tire. It seems to be coated with oil, what is this tube for? I was looking at some pics on the 928 registry and there was a pic of a crashed 928 and the fender was off and it appeared that this black tube just folds itself closed under the fender. Confused on this! Any ideas where the oil leak source may be?
2. Electrical probelm! None of the behind the dash lights work. The instrument cluster lights just fine but there is no back light for the a/c controls, door, or console switches. I looked at the fuse panel and saw 2 the were called "instruments" but they tested fine. Are the fuses for these lights labeled something else I missed?? The dome lights and door well lights work as well.
3. Is there a way to tell if the rear suspension is sitting too low? I can just barely fit my fingers between the tire and the fender well in back, normal?
4. I will need new front tires soon, should I get them first and then an alignment or are these independent of each other?
5. The manual says to use ATF Dexron fluid for the power steering, all I can find at local auto stores are Dexron II, III, IV, some synthetics, some with stop leak etc. I know to avoid the synthetics and the ones with additives but is the Dexron II ok or should I order some original stuff from an online source?
I think that's it for now, appreciate any feedback and sorry if a lot of this already exists in previous posts, I just wanted to introduce myself and get used to the forum, I hear it's the best 928 info source out there!
I don't have the shop manuals yet. Some work that has been done to the car (I have records going back 6 years) include new timing belt, water pump, and torque tube along with frequent oil changes and inspections.
I've read thru some of the forum and FAQ but not all. I wanted to get some quick feedback on a few questions if possible!
1. My car drips a tiny few drip drops of oil over night. I cannot see where it's coming from but from the top view of the engine everything looks clean. There is a black ?air flow tube? that sits on the suspension just behind the driver side front tire. It seems to be coated with oil, what is this tube for? I was looking at some pics on the 928 registry and there was a pic of a crashed 928 and the fender was off and it appeared that this black tube just folds itself closed under the fender. Confused on this! Any ideas where the oil leak source may be?
2. Electrical probelm! None of the behind the dash lights work. The instrument cluster lights just fine but there is no back light for the a/c controls, door, or console switches. I looked at the fuse panel and saw 2 the were called "instruments" but they tested fine. Are the fuses for these lights labeled something else I missed?? The dome lights and door well lights work as well.
3. Is there a way to tell if the rear suspension is sitting too low? I can just barely fit my fingers between the tire and the fender well in back, normal?
4. I will need new front tires soon, should I get them first and then an alignment or are these independent of each other?
5. The manual says to use ATF Dexron fluid for the power steering, all I can find at local auto stores are Dexron II, III, IV, some synthetics, some with stop leak etc. I know to avoid the synthetics and the ones with additives but is the Dexron II ok or should I order some original stuff from an online source?
I think that's it for now, appreciate any feedback and sorry if a lot of this already exists in previous posts, I just wanted to introduce myself and get used to the forum, I hear it's the best 928 info source out there!
12-17-2009, 02:21 PM
#2
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1 cooling tube going to the alternator. Coating of oil is common. May be from loose oil pan, could also be cam cover, and possibly PS fluid, look closer at the drips.
2 Common problems, could be bulbs, wiring fault, fuse. 928s are full of electrical issues, if this is the only problem you're lucky.
3 Yes, in the shop manual there is a ride height check and adjustment. Sounds normal to me.
4 Tires first, alignment next. Drive at least 100 miles after the tires are installed, and use only a shop that KNOWS about 928 alignment and has the right equip.
5 Dextron II is fine
Welcome! Drive fast, and visit here often.
2 Common problems, could be bulbs, wiring fault, fuse. 928s are full of electrical issues, if this is the only problem you're lucky.
3 Yes, in the shop manual there is a ride height check and adjustment. Sounds normal to me.
4 Tires first, alignment next. Drive at least 100 miles after the tires are installed, and use only a shop that KNOWS about 928 alignment and has the right equip.
5 Dextron II is fine
Welcome! Drive fast, and visit here often.
12-17-2009, 06:13 PM
#4
Team Owner
1.when you get your new 928 you should always replace the power steering reservoir and the 2 hoses going to it. Refill with Dextron 3 or 4
2.. While the reservoir is off remove the top timing covers and inspect the cam pulleys and the timing belt tension/ belt condition
3.Also replace the heater control valve and the short hose going to it. This is under the aircleaner
4. Run the car in the dark and look for little sparks along the ignition wires/ coil wires/ caps/ coils if you see any then a new set of Beru wires should be installed.
5. Also replace the 5 fuel lines in the engine compartment, roger sells a kit for this as well.
That ought to get you started.
For the dash lights there is only one light in the HVAC head ( this requires HVAC head removal and disassembly) and then it feeds the sliders and the head .
There is also a light in the clock and one in the lighter, removing the underside trim panel from the pod and looking up you will see 2 wheels with wires connected to them on the left side of the steering column is the dimmer and the right side is the wiper delay speed,
make sure the dimmer has the wires connected, then remove the right side console cover and look at the back of the clock and the lighter for loose wires.
The window/sunroof/wiper switches dont have lights in them but Roger sell a kit to fit lights
2.. While the reservoir is off remove the top timing covers and inspect the cam pulleys and the timing belt tension/ belt condition
3.Also replace the heater control valve and the short hose going to it. This is under the aircleaner
4. Run the car in the dark and look for little sparks along the ignition wires/ coil wires/ caps/ coils if you see any then a new set of Beru wires should be installed.
5. Also replace the 5 fuel lines in the engine compartment, roger sells a kit for this as well.
That ought to get you started.
For the dash lights there is only one light in the HVAC head ( this requires HVAC head removal and disassembly) and then it feeds the sliders and the head .
There is also a light in the clock and one in the lighter, removing the underside trim panel from the pod and looking up you will see 2 wheels with wires connected to them on the left side of the steering column is the dimmer and the right side is the wiper delay speed,
make sure the dimmer has the wires connected, then remove the right side console cover and look at the back of the clock and the lighter for loose wires.
The window/sunroof/wiper switches dont have lights in them but Roger sell a kit to fit lights
Last edited by Mrmerlin; 12-17-2009 at 08:05 PM.
12-17-2009, 06:56 PM
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Thank you all for the suggestions and tips, it's been very enlightening and I can't wait to get started! As for the car itself, I don't have the vin # handy but I got it from the 2nd owner. The original buyer was in Houston, Texas and the 2nd owner lives in Santa Maria, Ca and I bought it from him. He is an older fella and he still has a 1987 928 S4.
I'll add a picture to my profile soon.
I'll add a picture to my profile soon.
12-17-2009, 07:27 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Welcome, you can get a CD from a rennlister "here" that has all of the shop manuals and much much more. Just take your time and focus on one issue at a time, you'll get it all sorted out 
oh yeah, this thread is....
DaveK9
oh yeah, this thread is....
DaveK9
Trending Topics
12-17-2009, 07:39 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
Welcome aboard. For the wheels, are you running stock wheels? If not, they could be 17 or 18 inches, and with spacers that cause the tight clearance.
12-17-2009, 08:04 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Welcome and congratulations on the car.
Your leak could be the power steering reservoir or hoses. Is the leaking oil red or brown? If it is hard to tell the color wipe some on a sheet of white paper. The current crop of Dexron ATF is red-ish and if that is the color your PS system is leaking. Otherwise it is probably engine oil. If it is an engine oil leak you could have a leaking oil cooler or cooler hoses. Since the car is a 1991 you have an oil cooler that is separate from the radiator and mounted below it. In earlier cars the oil cooler was part of the radiator.
The only door controls that are illuminated are the seat memory button and the door lock posts, and the posts only blink when the doors are locked and the alarm is engaged.
Hope this helps
Mike
Your leak could be the power steering reservoir or hoses. Is the leaking oil red or brown? If it is hard to tell the color wipe some on a sheet of white paper. The current crop of Dexron ATF is red-ish and if that is the color your PS system is leaking. Otherwise it is probably engine oil. If it is an engine oil leak you could have a leaking oil cooler or cooler hoses. Since the car is a 1991 you have an oil cooler that is separate from the radiator and mounted below it. In earlier cars the oil cooler was part of the radiator.
The only door controls that are illuminated are the seat memory button and the door lock posts, and the posts only blink when the doors are locked and the alarm is engaged.
Hope this helps
Mike
12-18-2009, 12:14 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
Welcome to the shark tank. Sounds like a nice car
BUT this . . .
BUT this . . .
12-18-2009, 12:52 AM
#13
Rennlist Member
....................with out pictures.
Before having an alignment done be sure to familiarize yourself with the procedure. There are many posts on the subject. The first step for a good alignment specialist is to raise the car off the suspension and check all suspension parts for proper function. With the 928 an alignment can not be done until the suspension is well settled. This means a drive of 50 to 100 miles after checking suspension, and then a drive on system that does not involve lifting the weight off the tires.
You can not trust that an alignment shop will know this requirement, and must discuss it with them before work is performed.
Before having an alignment done be sure to familiarize yourself with the procedure. There are many posts on the subject. The first step for a good alignment specialist is to raise the car off the suspension and check all suspension parts for proper function. With the 928 an alignment can not be done until the suspension is well settled. This means a drive of 50 to 100 miles after checking suspension, and then a drive on system that does not involve lifting the weight off the tires.
You can not trust that an alignment shop will know this requirement, and must discuss it with them before work is performed.
